{37 easy find{38 {0 embouchure attachment to flute or piccolo and like instruments

ABSTRACT

A device which can be permanently or detachably secured to any flutelike wind instrument having an open embouchure hole which enables a user to automatically find the proper placement of embouchure relative to lower lip placement and blowing angle.

United States Patent Vito Sollecito 2316 Cambreleng Ave., Bronx, N.Y. 10458;

Thomas Cavolina, 1548 Kennelworth Place, Bronx, NY. 10465 Appl. No.3,327

Filed Jan. 16, 1970 Patented Aug. 17, 1971 Inventors EASY FINDEMBOUCHURE ATTACHMENT T0 FLUTE 0R PICCOLO AND LIKE INSTRUMENTS 6 Claims,5 Drawing Figs.

84/453 1m. (:1 G10d 9/00 FieldofSearch 84/384 [56] References CitedUNITED STATES PATENTS 801,086 10/1905 Jenks 84/384 2,637,239 5/1953Swanson 84/384 FOREIGN PATENTS 666,602 2/1952 GreatBritain 84/384Primary Examiner- Richard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Lawrence R.Franklin Attorney-Ward, McElhannon, Brooks and Fitzpatrick ABSTRACT: Adevice which can be permanently or detachably secured to any flutelikewind instrument having an open embouchure hole which enables a user toautomatically find the proper placement of embouchure relative to lowerlip placement and blowing angle.

EASY FIND EMBOUCHURE ATTACHMENT TO FLUTE OR PICCOLO AND LIKE INSTRUMENTSSUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Our invention is directed toward a device whichwe call an Easy Find embouchure device adapted for permanent ordetachable mounting and use on flutes and like instruments of the flutefamily, such as: Alto flutes, piccolos, fifes, etc., that is windinstruments utilizing an open embouchure hole, with or withoutembouchure plate. The purpose of this new device which the coinventorschoose to call EASY-FIND" embouchure attachment, is to automaticallyfind the proper placement ofembouchure relative to lower lip placement,and blowing angle. The step formed by the device raises the blowingangle of the air column striking the embouchure edge. Also, the deviceis designed to prevent or diminish the slippage or movement of the lowerlip edge, so important to proper embouchure placement. The correct, andsurefooted" way in which the lower lip edge can be maintained constantlyin place is a major contributing factor to better, and easier tonalproduction.

The use ofthe described device results in the following:

a. Better tonal production, with greater sonority and intensity over thewhole range of the flute and piccolo.

b. A more even production of sonority and volume in all octaves.

c. Third octave notes better controlled in the piano."

d. such problem notes as C and C-sharp, second and third octave, E andE-Flat second and third octaves are more easily played in tune.

e. First octave response improveddown to low C.

f. Playing techniques such as staccato and double tonguing arefacilitated, eliminating or greatly diminishing the hissing andsputtering common in all but the most accomplished artists.

The EASY-FIND embouchure attachment insures cor rect positioning of themouth piece or embouchure so that the performer can produce a good toneevery time, without thinking or fussing in trying to find proper lowerlip placement. The device herein described will be applicable to:

a. The beginnerthe beginner is easily and very often discouraged becauseof the difficulties in producing tones on instruments of the flute andlike instrument family. He now can be quickly encouraged in his study offlute or piccolo in that the device described will greatly aid him inthe proper placement of the embouchure, and insure proper placement evenin very early stages of study.

b. the musician that doubles on flute and or piccolo will feel secure inthat he will get good tone production from the flute or piccolo afterhaving just played clarinet, saxophone, oboe, or any other instrument ofa radically different embouchure formation. The uneasiness of the mandoubling on flute will be dispelled with the instrument equipped withthe device herein described.

c. The experienced player-from amateur to accomplished artists, willalso benefit, and for the same reasons described previously:

1. Securing of embouchure placement, less slippage or rolling, playingin tune.

2. Production of a greater sonority and volume with better control ofupper register.

3. Easier and more precise production of the staccato and doubletonguing techniques.

The Easy-Find" embouchure is designed to allow the player of the newschool" to take advantage of the very minimal pressure used againstlower lip edge and chin by the instrument equipped with this device.This is accomplished easily and naturally because of the steady andprecise support of the finder" on the lower lip edge and hollow of thechin.

The early beneficiary of the Easy-Find" embouchure is the beginningstudent, whose tendency is to shake or tremble at the lower lip andchin, greatly adding to the problem of finding consistent tonalplacement. The support and positioning of the described device willgreatly help and encourage the beginner in his progress.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of our attachment and a flute;

FIG. 2 is a side view partially in cross section showing our inventionin use;

FIG. 3 is a detail perspective view of our attachment in position on aflute;

FIG. 4 is a top view ofour attachment per se; and

FIG. Sis a side view of our attachment per se.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The device is to bemanufactured in a way to universally fit all flutes, piccolos and likeinstruments, by clamping on to the tubular head joint, and where frontedge of the device will meet at some adjustable distance from the frontedge of the embouchure hole.

The attachment will be so constructed as to fit instruments with orwithout embouchure plates.

The device, in length the size of the embouchure plate or larger will inits inside diameter be approximately the same as the outside diameterofthe tubular head joint.

The device, by design will securely clamp on to head joint over theembouchure plate, if any, so that a step is created for the lower lipedge to sense or feel.

Creating this step conditions the lower lip edge to automatically seekthis spot which the player learns to be the correct embouchureplacement.

The clamped-on attachment is to be allowed to rotate a fraction of aninch to and from the forward embouchure hole edge. This feature willallow the individual player to set the device with great precision,

The device as an attachment can also be designed as an integral part ofthe flute, piccolo or like instrument head joint.

The attachment to be manufactured of suitable materials such as metal,metal alloys, or plastics and will appear as unobtrusive as possible soas not to markedly change the appearance of the instrument.

Referring now to FIGS. 1-5, a tubular head portion of a flute 10 has anopen embouchure hole 12 surrounded by an embouchure plate 14. Detachablysecured to the flute by clamps 16 is a step member 18 having a cut outportion with a periphery 20 overlying the plate adjacent the hole. Asbest seen in FIG. 3, the step member is U-shaped and partially surroundsthe embouchure hole 12. As seen in FIGS. 3 and 5, the surface orperiphery 20 of the step member extends from the tubular head portionupwardly and outwardly with respect to the embouchure hole 12 forpositioning engagement with a substantial portion of the lower lip of aplayer as seen in FIG. 2. As seen in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, aid surface isspaced a preselected distance from the embouchure hole 1 to control theplayers blowing angle with respect to the embouchure hole. As seen inFIG. 1, the clamps 16 are snap clamps so that the step member 18 may berotated with respect to the tubui. head portion 10 for adjusting thedistance between said surface and the embouchure hole 12 to suit anindividual player.

While we have described our inven ion with particular reference to thedrawings, such is not to be considered as limiting its actual scope.

We claim:

1. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument including a tubularhead portion having an embouchure hole, said embouchure comprising aU-shaped step partially surrounding said embouchure hole, said stephaving a surface extending from said tubular head portion upwardly andoutwardly with respect to said embouchure hole for positioningengagement with a substantial portion of the lower lip of a player, saidsurface being spaced a preselected distance from said embouchurc hole tocontrol the players blowing angle with v respect to the embouchure hole.

2. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 1further comprising means for rotating said U- shaped step with respectto said tubular head portion for adjusting said preselected distancebetween said surface and said embouchure hole to suit an individualplayer.

3. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 1further comprising means for removably securing said U-shaped step tosaid tubular head portion.

4. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 3wherein said means for removably securing said

1. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument including a tubularhead portion haVing an embouchure hole, said embouchure comprising aU-shaped step partially surrounding said embouchure hole, said stephaving a surface extending from said tubular head portion upwardly andoutwardly with respect to said embouchure hole for positioningengagement with a substantial portion of the lower lip of a player, saidsurface being spaced a preselected distance from said embouchure hole tocontrol the player''s blowing angle with respect to the embouchure hole.2. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according to claim 1further comprising means for rotating said U-shaped step with respect tosaid tubular head portion for adjusting said preselected distancebetween said surface and said embouchure hole to suit an individualplayer.
 3. An embouchure for a flute-type wind instrument according toclaim 1 further comprising means for removably securing said U-shapedstep to said tubular head portion.
 4. An embouchure for a flute-typewind instrument according to claim 3 wherein said means for removablysecuring said U-shaped step comprises a pair of spaced clamps extendingfrom opposite ends of said step.
 5. An embouchure for a flute-type windinstrument according to claim 1 further comprising an embouchure platesurrounding said embouchure hole, and wherein said U-shaped stepoverlies said embouchure plate.
 6. An embouchure for a flute-type windinstrument according to claim 5 further comprising a pair of spacedclamps for removably, adjustably securing said U-shaped step to saidtubular head portion, said clamps being outwardly disposed with respectto said embouchure plate.